Coordinate Measuring Machines (CMM) - Insights

Results of a Poll of Engineering360 subscribers

Coordinate measuring machines (CMMs) are mechanical systems designed to move a measuring probe to determine coordinates of points on a workpiece surface. They provide precise measurements of objects for design, testing, assessment, profiling, and reverse engineering of parts. Machines are available in a wide range of sizes and designs. They...
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Q & A on Coordinate Measuring Machines (CMM)

We asked our users for their input on Coordinate Measuring Machines (CMM).
Here are the results of 119 users
familiar with Coordinate Measuring Machines (CMM).

Do you know of any disastrous mistakes that occurred due to the incorrect usage of coordinate measuring machines?

9 answers

Answers:

Yes, for example one customer moved the machine from one room to another without asking the supplier. This resulted in a scale and reader head damage. Others don't use filters or air coolers or they don't exchange the filters in time for compressed air. This results in bearing damage and worst case, guide-way damage.

~Mihai Jipa, Managing Partner, Bucharest, Romania

Parts are missed measured when trying to get a measurement from a bad tip that has been changed to reach different areas. No collaboration for said tip.

~Donald S, Quality Control, Greenville, TX

If You use the Improper Power Supply,Without UPS and Earth Voltage >1.5V,It will damage the Machine Mother board.

Do you have any advice for people relative to buying or using coordinate measuring machines?

12 answers

Answers:

First of all to know all details regarding tasks to do with CMM:
- Smallest tolerance to apply, in order to choose the correct resolution and uncertainty.
- Biggest size of parts / devices to measure, in order choose the right CMM size.
- Take in account: Bigger CMM --> smaller accuracy

~Aguilar L, Quality Senior Engineer, Puebla, Mexico

Don't stop with the first you see and try them out on some of your harder parts to measure. Try programming simple part to see if the program is as simple as the part.

~Donald S, Quality Control, Greenville, TX

Handle the Machine with Care,Use all the Listed Safety precautions,Keep the Machine in Vibrationless environment

~Prasanna V, Quality Control, Chennai, India

Maintain the ambient conditions for keeping this machine, it will give you best results every time.

~Arsalan Ahmad, Process Engineer, Lahore, Pakistan

Software selection and training until the operators get it. Get the CAD Files to program too.

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